Born in Paris on October 1st 1865, Paul Dukas was a French composer known for his daring take upon musical scoring. He initially underwent tuition at the Conservatoire de Paris, with notable teachers Théodore Dubois and Ernest Guiraud by his side. He, and close friend Claude Debussy graduated from the conservatory and both became highly successful, however Dukas, opted for a less prominent role as a credible music critic. He showed an unusual talent for this occupation, as well as orchestral scoring and voicing techniques.

Born in Paris on October 1st 1865, Paul Dukas was a French composer known for his daring take upon musical scoring. He initially underwent tuition at the Conservatoire de Paris, with notable teachers Théodore Dubois and Ernest Guiraud by his side. He, and close friend Claude Debussy graduated from the conservatory and both became highly successful, however Dukas, opted for a less prominent role as a credible music critic. He showed an unusual talent for this occupation, as well as orchestral scoring and voicing techniques.

For much of his life he taught at the Paris Conservatory, and composed vast amounts of music. It became quite evident fairly quickly however that Dukas was somewhat of a fickle stickler for prim and proper music. This therefore meant much of his scores, from piano arrangements to immense orchestral duels were destroyed personally by him through hearty dissatisfaction.

Of his works that still remain, his Symphony in C and tone poem L’apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) are the most celebrated, the latter being popularised for its inclusion in the 1940 film Fantasia. Both these orchestral works show distinct signage to contemporary techniques, but also denote much of their material from past ideals constructed by earlier great composers. Also in circulation are a few pieces for solo piano; the Sonata in E-flat minor, Variations, Interlude et final on a theme of Rameau, which are both highly demanding for their complexity, and also strike similarities with Debussy’s impressionism.

Dukas like so many other composers during this age didn’t make the limelight for one reason or another, but indeed this doesn’t make their work and legacy any less credible. He went on to compose and teach for much of his later life. Under his own personal tuition were renowned 20th century composers such as Oliver Messiaen. Paul Dukas died on May 17th 1935. « hide